Steam-generator.



No. 66i,545. Paented T. MILLER.

STEAM GENERATOR.

(Application filed Jan. 25, 1900.)

(No Model.)

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Nov. `I3, |900.

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N0. 66|,545. Patented Nov. I3, |900.

' T. MILLER.

STEAM GENERATOR. (Application filed Jan. 25, 1900.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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THEODORE MILLER, OF NENV YORK, N. Y.

STEAM-GENERATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 661,545, dated November 13, 900.

Application filed January 25. 1900. GT-lai NO- 2.714. (No model.)

To all whom L'z; may concern:

Be it known that l, THEODORE MILLER, a citizen of the United States, and a residmit of New York city, county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful lmprot-'emeilts in Steam-Generators, of which the following is a specification.

'lhis invention relates to a rapid steam-generalor so constructed that the consumption ot steam will immediately induce the genera- `tion ot steam in an exact ratio to ils consumption and canse at the same time the feeding.

ot the boiler with a corresponding quantity of water.

l-t also comprises a novel construction of the Ahre-box, which is provided with suitable means for warming up the generator-tubes without exposing them to the products of combustion.

On account of' these features my steam -generator is particularly adapted to automobiles, steam launches, stationary and port-able steam-engines, and steam-generators generally.

ln the accompanying drawings, Figure lis a vertical central section of my steam-genen ator; Fig. 2, a plan with the cover removed; Fig. 3, a detail illustrating the coupling ofthe coils; Fig. a, a side elevation, partly in section, showing the generator and connections; and Fig. 5, a plan partly broken away and with the coils omitted.

The letter L represents the shell of the generator, within which are contained any suit able number of removable tubes or spiral coils o, supported by brackets c and arranged in parallel planes or series. These tubes are connected by inner and outer couplings in such a manner that they form a continuous pipe for the generation of steam. The couplings consist of two sets of superposed tubular fittings or sleeves d, clamped together by a central bolt c and an outer boltf and made of a diameter to form a steam-duct around each bolt. The fittings are provided with paclzings g and with removable annular partitions h, that project across the ducts and subdivide them into horizontal compartments. By the arrangement shown in the drawings the uppermost coil connects at its center with the second coil, which connects at its outer end with the third coil, dto., so that the water or steam descends from coil to coil through the entire generator. By a different arrangement of partitions a diii'erent flow may be caused. rlhus batteries of two or three coils may together receive the water at their outer ends and convey it to batteries of a greater or less n u lnher at their inner ends. In this way it will be seen that the tlow may be readily regulated to correspond to the quantity of water and generated steam to be passed. rlhe uppermost coil b receives the water from tank t' by a pump 2 through a pipe t". The pump i2 is driven by an eccentric i3 on the shaft 4 of a steam-engine or anyother suitable source of power. rlhe pump is so proportioned to furnish a quantity ot' water at least sufficient tor the largest steam consum ption. A hand-lever serves to convey the lirst charge ot water into the generator in case the pump cannot be operated by motive power. The uppermost coil b also connects with a pipej, having adjustable springactuated water-relief valve j and communieating with the water-tank i. The waterre lief valve j is placed in front. of the outlet of the feed-water pipe z" and serves to discharge from the boiler either a part or all the water contained therein when the steam-pressure rises above the limit fixed by the tension of the spring ot relief-valve j. Thus the area of the effective evaporatirig-surface of the generator is reduced as the increased steampressure forces the Water backward in the coils an d out through the water-relief valvej'.

A reduction of the steam-pressure due to increased consumption will effect the full or partial closing of the water-relief valve j', after which the pump/L'z will force the water forward in the coils b, thereby increasing the steam generation by covering a greater coilsurface with water. Thus the quantity of feed-Water and the steam-pressure are regulated autoinatically,and as the steam-pressure cannot rise above the limit fixed by the tension of the spring of the water-relief valve j' the usual safety-valve for the discharge of surplus steam-pressure may be dispensed with, so that an increased economy is effected by avoiding any escape of steam.

The steam generated within the tubes b is IOO carried by pipe 7c, having pressure-gage 7a' and blow-off cock 7a2, to an engine driving the pump i2 or other apparatus.

-The generator may be heated in any manner desired, the fire-chamber or source of heat Zbeing arranged below the shell a. The shell is separated from the lire-chamber by a perforated register composed of two perforated plates m fn, of' which one say the plate n-is rotatable. This plate 'n has a perforated eX- Iension n projecting over a perforated side Z' ofthe fire-chamber that communicates with a by-pass flue o. The arrangement of perforations is such that when heat is admitted from the fire-chamber to the shell a the iiue o is shut off, and vvice versa. rlhe register 'It is operated by a handle n2, which likewise controls the blowoff cock 7a2 by elbow-lever n3 and link n4 in such a manner that the cock is closed when the heat is directed into the shell a and opened when the heat is directed into the flue o.

To start the generator, the fireplace is first put in communication with the flue o to obtain a good draft and to indirectly warm up the generator-coils b by the heat radiated or conducted through the closed register-plates m and n, and then the register n is turned to disconnect the flue and to direct the heat into the shell ct, so as to thoroughly heat the tubes b. In this way the gases of combustion are broughtinto contact with the generator-tubes l) only after the latter have been well heated, and thereby the condensation of moist ure and the precipitation of soot on the generatortubes h are prevented. The blow-off cock k2, having been closed simultaneously by the turning of the register n, the lever 755 is now manipulated to send in the tirst charge of water, which while descending through the tubes b will be quickly converted into steam in the uppermost tubes, while the steam will become superheated in the lowermost tubes. The steam generated will then drive the engine, dto., and turn the aXle i4, which will now actuate the pump 2 to its full capacity, the surplus water being discharged by the water-relief valvej, as previously explained. When no steam is required for any length of time, the register n is turned so as to shut off the heat from the shell ct and deflect it into the flue o, while simultaneously the blow-oit' cock k2 is opened, whereby the boiler is relieved entirely of steam-pressure. It will thus be seen that in my generator all danger of explosion is averted and that increase of steam-pressure over that permitted by the return-valve is avoided.

The invention may be employed for stationary engines, steam-heaters, or other purposes where the alnount of steam to be generated is constant or variable.

My improved generator is safe, economical, and durable, will generate steam quickly whenever desired, and will automatically cease to make steam when the consumption of steam ceases.

What I claim isl. A steam-generator composed of a shell, an inclosed series of coiled tubes` tubular fittings that connect the tubes alternately at inner and outer ends, and partitions that project across the fittings and subdivide them into horizontal compartments, substantially as specified.

2. A steam-generator composed of a shell,

an inclosed series of coiled tubes, tubular Iit tings that connect the tubes alternately at inner and outer ends, partitions that project across the fittings and subdivide them into horizontal compartments, and bolts eXtending longitudinally through the fittings, sul stantially as specified.

3. A steam-generator composed of a shell, an inclosed series of coiled tubes, fittings connecting'the tubes alternately at inner and outer ends, a feed-water pump communicating with the uppermost tube, a steampipe having a blow-off cock and communicating with the lowermost tube, a fire-chamber, a

fiue communicating therewith, a register- 

